Manchester City:

Manchester City celebrated Under 18 Premier League Cup final glory at Middlesbrough as Felix Nmecha’s superb second half strike secured a deserved triumph.

Gareth Taylor’s young charges were dominant from start to finish in the showpiece final at the Riverside carving out a plethora of chances.

Ultimately though it was Nmecha’s superb 46th minute strike that proved the difference and ensured the silverware came to the CFA, the midfielder rifling home from the left flank after great work by Adrian Bernabe.

And the full-time whistle sparked scenes of celebration and joy amongst the players after a superb campaign that had begun back in September in the group stages.

What happened

On a cold but crisp evening on Teesside, the young Blues soon settled into their collective stride, dominating both territory and possession.

Despite enjoying home advantage, Boro mainly opted to field 10 men behind the ball and inviting City to probe for space and openings.

Felix Nmecha was the first to threaten for Gareth Taylor’s side pinging in a dipping 25-yard free-kick which just went over after his fifth minute mazy run saw him brought down.

City then carved out our best chance of the opening half on 10 minutes. Nmecha delivered a fine left-wing cross after Adrian Bernabe’s shot had been blocked and found the unmarked Ben Knight eight yards out.

However, the winger’s header agonisingly went the wrong side of the left-hand post.

FULL STRETCH: Adrian Bernabe looks to put pressure on the Boro defence

Young central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis was an early source of much of City’s best work and from one of his trademark raking, long-range passes, Bernabe cut inside from the left wing but his pass to the waiting Nmecha was under-cooked.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and Boro served notice of their attacking armoury on 18 minutes when Stephen Wearne weaved his way past two City defenders before curling a right foot effort just wide.

Two minutes later Boro threatened again as Alberto Balde’s deft lob bamboozled the Blues defence to find Hayden Hackney clear in the box. Fortunately, though the linesman had flagged for offside.

But those proved the exceptions and on 22 minutes another raid by Taylor’s charges saw Bernabe feed Nabil Touaizi in the box. The Spaniard coolly brought the ball under control before swivelling and firing in a sweet half-volley which was gathered by Boro keeper Brynn.

The Blues came desperately close to forcing a breakthrough again on 39 minutes when Tommy Doyle was inches away from converting a superb 20-yard free-kick.

And City ended the first half as they had begun, knocking on the hosts door. From yet another left-wing forward foray, Nmecha fizzed in a teasing cross which evaded Touaizi and then frustratingly rebounded off the waiting Knight at the far post.

However, the Blues didn’t have to wait long after the restart before we made a deserved breakthrough.

It arrived on 46 minutes and Bernabe proved the architect, his weaving run opening up the Boro backline before he found Nmecha free on the left channel.

UP FOR THE CUP: Felix Nmecha is mobbed by his team-mates after opening the scoring

In a pulsating finale Moulden then had to produce a fine punch clear from Robinson’s cross with Stephenson waiting to pounce and City’s hearts in their mouths.

Deep into stoppage time Doyle then drove forward before finding Knight who somehow fired over from close range.

But it mattered not as the whistle then sounded allowing the young Blues to celebrate a deserved trophy triumph.

And with a FA Youth Cup semi-final on the horizon there could be more success to come for Taylor's youngsters.

How we lined up

Louie Moulden was in goal shielded by a back four of skipper Rowan McDonald, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Yeboah Amankwah and Alpha Diounkou. In midfield were Tommy Doyle, Felix Nmecha, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Adrian Bernabe. Upfront were Nabil Touaizi and Ben Knight.

What’s next

Gareth Taylor’s side are next in action on March 30, ironically away once again at Middlesbrough, but this time for an Under-18 Premier League encounter.